Swoop (airline)

Swoop
IATA ICAO Callsign
WO WSW SWOOP
Founded 2017
Commenced operations June 20, 2018
Hubs

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport

Edmonton International Airport
Fleet size 4[1]
Destinations 6 (+8 Future Destinations)
Parent company WestJet (100%)
Headquarters Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Website flyswoop.com

Swoop is a Canadian ultra low-cost carrier owned by WestJet. It was officially announced on September 27, 2017,[2] and began flights on June 20, 2018.[3] The airline is based in Calgary, Alberta[4] and was named after WestJet's desire to "swoop" into the Canadian market with a new business model.[4] Shortly after launch, WestJet announced that Swoop may not be based solely in Calgary, but also in another nearby market like Edmonton, Abbotsford or Winnipeg, though the airline is likely to stay based in Alberta to take advantage of the lower tax rate and larger market population.[5] On February 1, 2018, Swoop officially began selling tickets to the public, announcing John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport as their main hub.[6]

History

In April 2017, WestJet announced that it was planning to launch a new airline to enter the growing ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) market and compete against NewLeaf (now Flair Airlines). The airline was planned to launch in late 2017[7], but in August 2017 it was delayed to June 2018 after switching to a lower-cost booking system. The delay also allowed WestJet to reconfigure aircraft for Swoop over the Spring 2018 season. [8]

Swoop was officially announced on September 27, 2017, and was expected to have base fares 40% lower than WestJet's fares. It was announced that Swoop would launch with six Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Tickets first became available for sale on February 1, 2018.[2]

On June 20, 2018 Swoop officially launched with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft in its fleet. The first flight was from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport to Abbotsford International Airport, with passengers paying an average of $103 for the flight. Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, and Halifax Stanfield International Airport were also launch destinations. The fleet of 2 aircraft was planned to be expanded to 6 by the end of 2018 and to 10 in 2019.[9]

On August 2, 2018, Swoop announced that it was to become the first Canadian ultra low-cost airline to fly to the United States, launching service to Las Vegas, Phoenix (Mesa), Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale throughout the month of October 2018.[10] However, prior launching service in October, Swoop announced service to four more Mexican and Caribbean destinations launching in December 2018 and January 2019.[11]

Fleet

Current fleet

Swoop operates a fleet comprising entirely of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, specifically the Boeing 737-800. Swoop plans to operate a fleet of six aircraft in 2018, scaling up to 10 aircraft by spring 2019.[1][4]

Swoop fleet
Aircraft In
service		 Orders Passengers Notes/sources
Boeing 737-800 4 2 189 39 seats with extra legroom
Total 4 2

Swoop's current fleet is equipped with Recaro BL3520 leather seats and pink antimacassars over the headrests. Each seat includes a tray-table, seat pocket, an adjustable headrest, and movable armrests (except in row 1).

Livery

Swoop's fleet of aircraft are painted with the Swoop logo large across the fuselage, and a pink tail with a white line leading up to a silhouette of a aircraft. The winglets are painted in a similar pattern to the tail, pink with a white stripe through it. This pattern is the same on the inside and outside of the winglets. Each aircraft is given a name painted in pink below the windows of the cockpit on both sides of the aircraft.[12] The current names for Swoop's aircraft are:

Swoop Aircraft Names
NameRegistration
#Hamilton[13]C-GDMP
#Abbotsford[14]C-FPLS
#Bob[15]C-GXRW
#Jon[16]C-FONK

In-flight entertainment and in-seat power

Swoop offers in-flight entertainment and internet through their mobile app. The Swoop app can be accessed on any web-based mobile device, including phones, tablets and laptops. The in-flight entertainment portion of the app is called "Swoop Stream". Through Swoop Stream, guests are able to watch live TV, movies and TV shows.[17] The service is currently free, but Swoop plans to make this a paid service.[18]

Swoop offers internet on all flights. The internet can be accessed through Swoop Stream and is available for a fee based on time. 1-hour, 3-hour and 24-hour internet passes are available.[19]

Swoop's fleet is equipped with AC power and USB ports at every seat on each of their aircraft.[20]

Destinations

Swoop focuses on point-to-point flying, not offering connections. In terms of destinations, Swoop's biggest hub is John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, offering service to almost all destinations.[21] Swoop's western base is Edmonton International Airport, close to WestJet's hub at Calgary International Airport.[22]

The current destinations are:[23]

CityAirportNotes
Hamilton, OntarioJohn C. Munro Hamilton International Airport Launch destination, Hub
Halifax, Nova ScotiaHalifax Stanfield International Airport Launch destination
Edmonton, AlbertaEdmonton International Airport Launch destination, Western base
Abbotsford, British ColumbiaAbbotsford International Airport Launch destination
Winnipeg, ManitobaWinnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport Launch destination
Las Vegas, NevadaMcCarran International Airport

From October 2018 through January 2019,[10] Swoop will add service to the following destinations in the U.S., Mexico and Caribbean. Some destinations, such as Sangster International Airport will be served seasonally.[11][24]

CityAirportService Begins
Orlando, FloridaOrlando International AirportOctober 17, 2018
Tampa, FloridaTampa International AirportOctober 20, 2018
Fort Lauderdale, FloridaFort Lauderdale–Hollywood International AirportOctober 26, 2018
Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix–Mesa Gateway AirportOctober 27, 2018
Montego Bay, JamaicaSangster International AirportDecember 16, 2018
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoLicenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International AirportJanuary 8, 2019
Cancún, MexicoCancún International AirportJanuary 14, 2019
Mazatlán, MexicoMazatlán International AirportJanuary 20, 2019

References

  1. 1 2 "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Swoop". Transport Canada. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  2. 1 2 Dormer, Dave (September 27, 2017). "WestJet ready to Swoop in on low-cost market". CBC News. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  3. ↑ "WestJet names new carrier Swoop, says ticket orders will begin in early 2018". CTV News. September 27, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Siekierska, Alicja (September 27, 2017). "WestJet aims to offer 40% cheaper fares with new ultra-low-cost carrier 'Swoop'". Financial Post. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  5. ↑ Tucker, Erika (August 7, 2017). "New WestJet discount airline 'may be based outside of Calgary'". Global News. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Route Map: See where we fly". Swoop Airlines. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ "WestJet plans to launch new discount airline". Maclean's. August 31, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  8. ↑ "WestJet delays launch of discount airline until 2018". CBC News. August 31, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Low-cost airline Swoop's maiden flight lands in Abbotsford". Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  10. 1 2 "WestJet's Swoop to fly to 5 U.S. destinations including Florida and Vegas this fall | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  11. 1 2 "Swoop adds Jamaica service with seasonal flights to Montego Bay from Hamilton". CTV News. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  12. ↑ "Our fleet | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  13. ↑ "Swoop Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  14. ↑ "Swoop Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  15. ↑ "FlySwoop". www.facebook.com.
  16. ↑ "Swoop Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  17. ↑ "Swoop makes travel easy with their new mobile app | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  18. ↑ "Mobile App | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  19. ↑ "Swoop makes travel easy with their new mobile app | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  20. ↑ "Our fleet | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  21. ↑ "Ultra Low Cost Airline". Swoop. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  22. ↑ Heidenreich, Phil. "Low-cost airline Swoop to offer direct flights between Edmonton and Winnipeg this fall". Global News. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "Swoop Airlines". Swoop Airlines. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Where We Fly, Destinations, Route Map | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
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